Relationships between problematic social media use and social comparison: a meta-analysis

We examined the relationship between problematic social media use (PSMU) and social comparison via a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The study includes quantitative data from 20 independent studies published between January 2019 and October 2025 that examined the relationship between PSMU and social comparison. The studies encompassed adolescents, university students, and the general adult population from both individualistic and collectivist cultural contexts. Effect sizes were calculated using Fisher’s z-transformation under a random-effects model. The results indicated a modest positive relationship between PSMU and social comparison, with an effect size (ES) of 0.24 (95% CI [0.13, 0.36]). Following the Trim-and-Fill adjustment, the effect size decreased slightly, but the overall pattern was preserved. Additional meta-analyses based on standardized regression coefficients showed that, when control variables were included, the association weakened but remained detectable (ES = 0.169, 95% CI [0.029, 0.309]). Effect sizes in unpublished studies were close to zero; however, this finding should be interpreted with caution, as it is based on a limited number of unpublished studies. A high degree of heterogeneity was observed across the analyses. Moderation and meta-regression analyses indicated that the relationship may vary depending on the type of social comparison scale, age, gender composition, and countries’ Global Innovation Index scores. Studies using theory-based measures of social comparison reported higher effect sizes. Higher effect estimates were observed in samples comprising older participants, in groups with a greater proportion of men, and in countries with lower levels of national innovation. In contrast, effect estimates in adolescent samples were relatively small and, in some subgroup analyses, remained trivial despite reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, social comparison shows a limited, context-sensitive relationship in magnitude rather than a strong or universal one with PSMU. However, it is unclear whether the observed relationship reflects a genuine connection between the independent constructs or partial conceptual overlap between the measurement instruments. The findings suggest that, although some sub-group effects may be statistically significant, their practical importance may remain limited. Therefore, the relationship between PSMU and social comparison should be evaluated within a multi-layered theoretical framework that accounts for measurement approaches, socio-technical contexts, and potential conceptual overlaps between constructs.